Making a good impression on an interviewer is essential to landing the job you’re hoping for. Of course it’s important to answer questions in a positive way and impress the interviewer with the depth of your experience, but the success or failure of an interview can also be influenced by subtler cues, such as body language. To make sure you aren’t sabotaging your chances of a job offer, here are a few things to keep in mind when you are being interviewed.

1. Have a firm, dry handshake.

Although this seems like the most obvious aspect of body language that may give an interviewer certain impressions about an applicant, it is also one of the most difficult to control. Many people experience cold hands or perspiring palms when they are nervous. Unfortunately, nervousness is common before an interview, especially for a job we are particularly excited about. The best thing to do is to attempt to stay calm, and—if you are out of sight of the interviewer—tuck your right hand into a pocket or rest it on your leg to keep it warm and reduce excess moisture. This way, you have a better chance of having a warm, dry palm when it’s time to shake hands at the beginning of your interview.

As for having a firm handshake, it is a good idea to practice with a friend if you are unsure. Although a weak handshake can send a bad impression, it is also a bad idea to cause pain to your interviewer by crushing her knuckles. A little trial and error with a sympathetic friend will help you decide how much pressure is appropriate.

2. Orient your body toward the interviewer.

If you are nervous, you may feel inclined to slump, sit low in your chair, lean on the chair arm, or orient your body toward the door as if you’d like to run through it. These postures, however, can send the message that you are not interested in the interviewer’s questions. Instead, make sure that your head and body are both facing the interviewer. If there are multiple interviewers, remember not to turn your body away from any one of them, but instead, keep your body facing the middle of the table and move your gaze between all of the interviewers to show your interest.

3. Maintain appropriate eye contact.

It’s common to forget to maintain eye contact during an interview. It can be exciting to find yourself in the office where you may one day have a job, and it’s natural to want to look around. If you are in the interviewer’s own office, you may also be curious about certificates or licenses on the walls, or the way the office is decorated. It’s important, however, to resist this temptation and focus on the interviewer instead. Failing to maintain eye contact with an interviewer not only indicates disinterest with the interviewer and the position, it can also suggest that you are flighty and will not concentrate on assigned tasks if you are given the job.

If there are multiple interviewers, maintain eye contact with the interviewer who is speaking. When answering a question, maintain eye contact mainly with the interviewer who asked the question, but also occasionally look at the other interviewers' faces to let them know you are addressing all of them rather than just the one who asked the question.

4. Avoid unconscious nervous behaviors.

We all sometimes engage in nervous gestures that we may not be aware of, but in an interview it’s important to keep these to a minimum. One of the most common is wiggling of your hands and feet; this can send the message that you are uncomfortable, which might lead an interviewer to believe that you are hiding something or that you are somehow being dishonest. Try to keep your feet on the floor, and keep your hands reasonably still unless you are deliberately gesturing to make a point. Do not play with your hair, jewelry, clothing, or items on the interviewer’s desk. If you must have something in your hands, you can always have a small notebook with you for taking notes, and hold your pen in your hand, but be sure not to wiggle it excessively.

Another common nervous behavior to avoid is crossing your arms over your torso. Although this position feels quite natural when we’re in an unfamiliar environment, it can actually cause an interviewer to believe that you are “closed off” or unfriendly. If you feel inclined to cross your arms, try resting your hands on your knees instead.

Try to avoid touching your face while you are being interviewed. Touching of the face is a common unconscious gesture that many people exhibit when they are being dishonest, or when they are simply nervous. If you touch your face too frequently throughout an interview, an interviewer may unfortunately not give you the benefit of the doubt and conclude that you are hiding some important facts about your work experience.

Remember to sit all the way back in your seat, rather than sitting stiffly on the edge. If you feel too nervous, you can calm yourself by leaning against the back of the chair. From this position you can also lean forward to show interest, without appearing stiff or uncomfortable.

Finally, remember to have a ready smile. Above all, this can help you connect with your interviewers and let them know what a great employee you would be for their company.



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